Reading FC Match Report: 2016/2017 Season - Championship

29 April 2017READING 1 WIGAN 0

Reading: Y Kermorgant (6). Wigan: --

Yann Kermorgant continued his current remarkable form scoring the only goal of a scrappy game to secure a play-off place for the Royals. Ultimately it made little difference with Leeds failing to overcome Norwich at home guaranteeing Reading's progress in to the play-offs. Regardless of the outcome of the final phase of the season, a top six finish is an outstanding achievement for Jaap Stam and his squad in what was considered to be a transitional period against a background of uncertainty of the ownership of the club.

Reading hit the ground running and in spite of Wigan’s attempts to press high up the pitch, put the visitors under early pressure. McCleary looked particularly sharp in the opening minutes firing in two shots and delivering two superb crosses, the second of which was converted by Kermorgant beating Gilks with the sheer power of his header. So dominant were Reading in the opening phase of the game a comfortable win seemed on the cards. Wigan responded well but in the twelfth minute Evans lunged into a fifty–fifty challenge with MacDonald on the half way line. The sickening crack on impact followed by an agonised yell from MacDonald indicated it was a serious injury. Play was held up for ten minutes whilst MacDonald received treatment and Evans a yellow card. There was clearly no malice in the challenge from Evans. The incident disrupted the pattern of the game and players and fans alike were noticeably subdued for some time.

Both sides had openings but neither ‘keeper were really tested for the remainder of the half. Reading were mixing up their range of passing. Evans hit a glorious long diagonal ball which Beerens controlled magnificently, wide on the left, his touch taking him past the full back but he was unable to create anything after his brilliant work. Wigan looked dangerous on the break. Al Habsi saving from a Powell diving header. On more than one occasion Reading allowed Wigan players to get free in the box and it took an excellent sliding challenge by Evans to snuff out a dangerous attack in stoppage time. McCleary’s recurring injury prevented him from completing the first half leaving Grabban to take over on the right.

Referee Robinson began flashing yellow cards in Reading’s direction with Moore, Kelly, Gunter and Williams joining Evans in the book some of which were harsh to say the least. Ilori had an impressive fifteen minutes replacing Evans and Williams replaced Swift (who had worked harder than usual today) to freshen up midfield. Kelly, Grabban and particularly Blackett presented Wigan with possession in dangerous areas by dwelling too long on the ball as Wigan made an effort to keep their season alive with some enterprising forays into the Reading half. Eventually they lost heart and the game fizzled out into a formality of a home win.

With their play-off place secured the ‘lap of appreciation’ had a bit more relevance than it did last season and everyone went home happy to speculate with some optimism on who Reading will be paired with in the next step towards the Premier League. The way this season has gone for Reading anything is possible.

John Wells

Post Match Fans' Opinion

Silver Fox

» 29 Apr 2017 18:29

Pretty dour stuff that, made worse by the incredibly negative belmonts who sit behind us.
Daughter was a rare attendee and suggested we could of left after 10 minutes as everything had happened by then, including Evans being a very lucky boy. I think the ref pulled the "it's too early for a red" tactic but later work by him suggested he was just inept.
No matter how many chances we gave Wigan they wouldn't have scored if they carried on playing during the lap of appreciation. I'd like to think we're keeping our powder dry for the bigger battles ahead.

Regardless of anything we may be doing right or wrong, LOLeeds

windermereROYAL

» 29 Apr 2017 18:40

Are you saying this because the lad broke his leg?. agree it was late. but it wasnt high or over the ball. yellow all day long for me.

Silver Fox

» 29 Apr 2017 18:45

Looked like it could have been red from my seat in the ED, I'll wait until I drunkenly watch the highlights later to be certain

RoyalBlue

» 29 Apr 2017 19:03

Could we please have a 'negative belmonts' stand for next season. I'd like to nominate a founder member who sits in Y21 right behind us. Absolutely effing unbelievable. I'm sure he would prefer to see the team play shyte and lose, rather than play poorly and win - just so that he could feel even happier moaning. Today he was moaning about Beerens (his favourite target) conceding a free kick for being too physical; literally a minute later he's bawling 'Beerens you're a chicken' when he had lifted his foot to allow a defender who was sliding in to concede a throw to us.

RoyalBlue

» 29 Apr 2017 19:06

Are you saying this because the lad broke his leg?. agree it was late. but it wasnt high or over the ball. yellow all day long for me.

Yep, some people don't seem to realise that the officials have to make their decision on the nature/seriousness of the challenge, rather than on the nature of any injury that a player unfortunately picks up.

Hate to see a serious injury like that and wish Shaun Macdonald a speedy recovery.

genome

» 29 Apr 2017 19:09

My god, the bloke in front of me was a disgrace. While the poor Wigan lad was down with a broken leg he was hurling abuse at him for being soft, shouting that he should "drink more milk", complaining that the medics were taking too long, then shouting at the guy on the buggy taking ages to get off the pitch.

He then spent the next 10 minutes shouting at the players whenever we passed backwards, before leaving his seat 10 minutes before half-time and disappearing into the concourse. He didn't come back

tidus_mi2

» 29 Apr 2017 19:46

Were Wigan seriously chanting "FA Cup Winners, you'll never sing that" or did I mishear? I get the whole Champions of Europe thing Forest sing even if it is ridiculous they still sing that, but surely we have a pretty realistic chance of winning the FA Cup in the next decade or so.

genome

» 29 Apr 2017 19:50

It's only been 4 years mate! I'd sing it if Reading won the FA Cup...

tidus_mi2

» 29 Apr 2017 19:52

Nothing against them singing about winning the FA Cup, just the choice of song doesn't make much sense to me.

royalp-we

» 29 Apr 2017 20:01

I'd like to be able to say that the majority of moaners are day trippers, but some of the things I heard in the ED by regulars around my seat was appalling apparently the players should be embarrassed, the footballs terrible and we will get royally shown up in the playoffs according to one guy. Why do some people bother?

I think it's simply just a case that there are too many fans still living in 106-land and just haven't watched many other live football matches so the style of play and not lumping into the oppositions half it is just not on their wavelength when it comes to watching football at the mad Stad.

Agreed it was an ugly win - from the stands it is so easy to criticise the players but they just played a side who were fighting for their champ status; Ali al Habsi outstanding, Kermorgant battled all game, Moore again solid, Kelly still an absolute gem. Wigan barely got a touch till the 20-25th minute.

The only negatives from me was that Grabban looks off the pace again? Also Swift and Beerens tended to shy away from a few things and kept quiet.

But the great thing about this team is; we all know they can step up when it matters. Regardless of who we play in the playoffs, I think this squad will stand tall and up the tempo like they tend to against the top teams in this league this season.

John Madejski's Wallet

» 29 Apr 2017 20:21

Are you saying this because the lad broke his leg?. agree it was late. but it wasnt high or over the ball. yellow all day long for me.
Nah that was a nasty red all day long. Very lucky boy.